Scientific Discipline
— Physics

When Gene Roddenberry created the Star Trek series back in the
1960’s, the term “phaser” was inspired by the then
nascent research on laser technology (which actually derived from WWII era
maser (microwave) R&D). See a voice-activated laser light show. Observe
laser diffraction patterns and find out what they are and what causes
them. Learn about colloids and see why we can only see a laser beam when
it passes through a colloidal dispersion. As a special extra feature,
your party guests can even make their own laser holograms of a small
personal object, which they can then keep as a party favor.

*
Some of the demonstrations in this program require a room that can be
completely darkened.